Fisher & Paykel help low income earners with FridgeAssist program

SYDNEY: Fisher & Paykel and EnergyAustralia have announced its new FridgeAssist program designed to help low income households save on their annual energy bills by purchasing a new energy efficient Fisher & Paykel fridge.

The new pilot program will help low income households in the Central Coast region buy energy efficient fridges at less than half the price with no up front cost through the No Interest Loan Scheme.

“A new Fisher & Paykel energy efficient fridge can cost as little as $60 a year to run and emit about a third of the C02 emissions than an old fridge does,” said Fisher & Paykel national marketing manager, Peter Russell.

A survey of more than 400 low income households conducted by EnergyAustralia revealed that almost 40 per cent of respondents had second hand fridges – costing them more money to run and adding about 1.2 tonnes of C02 to their annual greenhouse emissions.

The research result revealed that a 10-year old fridge could cost up to $200 a year to run and may add more than 1.7 tonnes of CO2 a year to greenhouse gas emissions.

“We understand that a new energy efficient fridge may be out of reach to some household budgets, so by partnering with EnergyAustralia we are giving more Australians the chance to do a little for the environment and save on their annual energy bills,” he said.

“The new FridgeAssist program will help low income households get an energy efficient fridge at no up front cost and at half the retail price,” said EnergyAustralia energy efficient expert, Paul Myors.

“This means they can slash their greenhouse gas emissions and start saving money on their energy bills.”

The FridgeAssist program is being piloted on the Central Coast and run through the Toukley Neighbourhood Centre.

Residents with a health care card or Centrelink benefits are eligible for the program, with applicants needing to pass an income means test and reside in the Wyong or Gosford Local Government Area to join the program.

Applicants will be able to choose from one of three new energy efficient Fisher & Paykel fridges with no upfront cost and between $420 and $1040 to be cut from the recommended retail price. The balance with then be repaid with a No Interest Loan, with payment deductions as low as $10 per fortnight.